13 teens arrested after reported gang fight

December 16, 2008

On Sunday, police arrested 13 teenagers — all suspected gang members — after one reportedly got into a fight at a Porterville party to which none was invited.

About 11:30 p.m. Saturday, two 18-year-olds, a man and a woman, arrived at the party in the 500 block of North Capitola Street along with 11 boys between the ages of 15 and 17. The homeowner allowed the group to stay “just to keep things calm,” Porterville Police Sgt. Larry Rodriguez said.

Not long after that, a fight broke out and one of the youths reportedly hit someone over the head with the beer bottle. The 13-member group got into a pickup truck and, when an officer called to the scene stopped them, several of the youths yelled threats and gang slogans at the officer.

All were arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and participating in a criminal street gang. The 18-year-olds: David Pineda and Rebekkah Valdovinos, both from Porterville.